Terrilynn Monnette was last seen March 2 with friends at a Parlay's Bar in Lakeview, a neighborhood in New Orleans.
The 26 year old grew up in Long Beach, but moved to New Orleans a little more than a year ago after graduating from California State University, San Bernardino.
Monnette was teaching children in impoverished areas as part of the teachNOLA program. The second-grade teacher had just been nominated for a teacher of the year award at her school.
According to press reports from New Orleans, Monnette was last seen sleeping in her car rather than driving home after drinking. Her late model Honda has also been reported missing.
Friends and family members combed a park in New Orleans on Sunday in search of any signs of the missing teacher to no avail.
A vigil to pray for her safe return was held at 6 p.m. Sunday at Wilson High School in Long Beach. About 100 people attended.
"We can't seem to get an idea of where she could possibly be," said Monnette's friend, Cherelle Tisby. "If you're 10 minutes from your house, you can't be that far."
